The 2002–03 New York Knicks season was the 57th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, the Knicks received the seventh pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected Brazilian basketball star Nenê Hilario, who was soon traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Antonio McDyess. However, the team's hopes for a rebound season took a hit before the start of the season, as McDyess needed knee surgery and was lost for the entire season. Meanwhile, Latrell Sprewell showed up to training camp with a broken hand, and was fined $250,000.